I’m hoping my 2006 outlander 400 has a common and not very expensive maintenance issue… actually 2 of them.

I noticed lately that if I go forward just enough to get some momentum and then let off on the gas and let the engine slow itself down I hear a screeching from under the seat or rear end. You would swear that the brakes have activated as it sounds like a friction squeak. I replaced the front brake pads and had no noises before or after that job. I keep thinking the rear brake is doing it but I’m not touching the brakes and as far as I know the engine doesn’t apply the rear brake when it is ‘self-braking’

What else could it be? Is it the clutch winding down as it slows down and gripping something? Is there a bearing in the clutch that is bad? I bought this less than a year ago and right before I bought it the prior owner had put a brand new clutch in, he had the box and parts on hand when I bought it. I always wondered if he had adjusted that clutch correctly as it seemed like when you take off you give it gas, nothing, nothing, then a lurch as you fly forward. Same in reverse, rev rev then wham you lurch backwards. I always thought the springs or something were too tight. Figured it was a ‘new clutch’ but that hasn’t changed in the last year. Now this metallic noise when letting off gas and when ‘engine braking’ is occuring but it clearly is under the driver or near the back.

I had my brother who is pretty good with these things look at things last night use a flashlight in the dark to check out under there. He noticed that my drive shaft U joint has tremendous slop in it and you can see where there is a lot of wear from the u joint slamming back and forth due to the slop. That is a critical thing that needs to be fixed but outside of a click when it engages, that would not explain the long screech when letting off gas.

So I can get the u joint fixed but that likely won’t explain the first problem.

Any tips on getting that U joint off and fixed? Do you have to take apart the rear brake? How do you disconnect both drive shaft ends? Do I take it to a frame or axle shot to get a new one pressed on?

I’m hoping my 2006 outlander 400 has a common and not very expensive maintenance issue… actually 2 of them.

I noticed lately that if I go forward just enough to get some momentum and then let off on the gas and let the engine slow itself down I hear a screeching from under the seat or rear end. You would swear that the brakes have activated as it sounds like a friction squeak. I replaced the front brake pads and had no noises before or after that job. I keep thinking the rear brake is doing it but I’m not touching the brakes and as far as I know the engine doesn’t apply the rear brake when it is ‘self-braking’

What else could it be? Is it the clutch winding down as it slows down and gripping something? Is there a bearing in the clutch that is bad? I bought this less than a year ago and right before I bought it the prior owner had put a brand new clutch in, he had the box and parts on hand when I bought it. I always wondered if he had adjusted that clutch correctly as it seemed like when you take off you give it gas, nothing, nothing, then a lurch as you fly forward. Same in reverse, rev rev then wham you lurch backwards. I always thought the springs or something were too tight. Figured it was a ‘new clutch’ but that hasn’t changed in the last year. Now this metallic noise when letting off gas and when ‘engine braking’ is occuring but it clearly is under the driver or near the back.

I had my brother who is pretty good with these things look at things last night use a flashlight in the dark to check out under there. He noticed that my drive shaft U joint has tremendous slop in it and you can see where there is a lot of wear from the u joint slamming back and forth due to the slop. That is a critical thing that needs to be fixed but outside of a click when it engages, that would not explain the long screech when letting off gas.

So I can get the u joint fixed but that likely won’t explain the first problem.

Any tips on getting that U joint off and fixed? Do you have to take apart the rear brake? How do you disconnect both drive shaft ends? Do I take it to a frame or axle shot to get a new one pressed on?